Chuck Berry

The Definitive Collection
$9.49
There are a ton of Chuck Berry greatest hits recordings, so I can't really say whether this is the best one. However, it does have 30 tracks on it, it's a single disc edition, and the music is extraordinary. Berry is one of the creators of rock and roll, and listening to this stuff 40 years later, it's still rocks, and rocks really hard. The music here sounds more vital, fresh, and edgy (yes, edgy) than most rock and roll acts do today. Berry wrote all 30 tracks in this collection, and they're all fantastic. This album has the classics (Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Rock and Roll Music), and it has some songs that I've heard covered by The Rolling Stones and REO Speedwagon (Carol and Little Queenie). It also contains the great, underrated You Never Can Tell (featured in Pulp Fiction, but I can listen to the song without thinking about that film now. Thank goodness, as I like the song a lot better than the film). I love the song Promised Land, an obscure one. Listen to the guitar solo and tell me you don't hear Lou Reed in it, specifically the soloing on the Velvet Underground's first album. Some have criticised the inclusion of My Ding-a-Ling, a novelty song that was Berry's last #1 hit. I like the song, and Berry liked it too, despite being very different that his other material. It was a big hit for Chuck, he wrote it himself, and I have to say I like it a lot, especially with the extremely enthusiastic crowd (recorded in the U.K.). Berry gives a great performance of it, and it becomes infectious. Overall, this is a great start for Berry novices.

The Definitive Collection
$13.98
There are a ton of Chuck Berry greatest hits recordings, so I can't really say whether this is the best one. However, it does have 30 tracks on it, it's a single disc edition, and the music is extraordinary. Berry is one of the creators of rock and roll, and listening to this stuff 40 years later, it's still rocks, and rocks really hard. The music here sounds more vital, fresh, and edgy (yes, edgy) than most rock and roll acts do today. Berry wrote all 30 tracks in this collection, and they're all fantastic. This album has the classics (Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Rock and Roll Music), and it has some songs that I've heard covered by The Rolling Stones and REO Speedwagon (Carol and Little Queenie). It also contains the great, underrated You Never Can Tell (featured in Pulp Fiction, but I can listen to the song without thinking about that film now. Thank goodness, as I like the song a lot better than the film). I love the song Promised Land, an obscure one. Listen to the guitar solo and tell me you don't hear Lou Reed in it, specifically the soloing on the Velvet Underground's first album. Some have criticised the inclusion of My Ding-a-Ling, a novelty song that was Berry's last #1 hit. I like the song, and Berry liked it too, despite being very different that his other material. It was a big hit for Chuck, he wrote it himself, and I have to say I like it a lot, especially with the extremely enthusiastic crowd (recorded in the U.K.). Berry gives a great performance of it, and it becomes infectious. Overall, this is a great start for Berry novices.

Gold
$19.98
Based on other reviews of this album, I decided to buy it rather than the more expensive one. I'm glad I did. It's great!

You Never Can Tell: The Complete Chess Recordings 1960-1966
$79.98
Absolutely wonderful set. Forget the complaints about the packaging - so the booklet is skimpy, and it's not the most convenient package ever designed. The music is fantastic, as is the sound. The 60's stuff is more varied than the 50's material, and the guitarwork is better overall. The earlier 50's box was great, and this one is at least as good. And the price? Get a copy from amazon marketplace for under $60. Chuck is worth it. So for the people who are giving this a low rating for silly reasons - lighten up and try to remember what rock & roll is all about!